18mm Solid Wood Flooring
18mm solid wood flooring is a one of the most popular wood floor choices in terms of thickness. Since it is not the thickest wood flooring option on the market (which is not to say it’s thin!) the planks need to be made from a relatively sturdy and durable wood. Oak is a popular material for making planks in this range of thickness, partly because of its versatility, and also the fact that it comes in an impressive range of colours and grain patterns.
The main reason for this is that oak is particularly welcoming to different types of stains and techniques for colouring. Planks made from this wood can come in a stately dark brown hue or a nearly white one. This also means that the wood can look great in any kind of building from rustic cabins to sleek modern offices.
But 18mm solid wood floors are not made of oak just because the wood is so dynamic and versatile. The wood is also used because it has exceptional durability. Oak is one of the longest-lasting woods out there. It holds up so well, in fact, that carpenters can sometimes "reclaim" and recycle wood from properties that are up to three centuries old. Many experts even say that oak ages like a good red wine, getting better and better as the years go by.
Behind oak’s outstanding durability are a number of factors, but first and foremost is its natural capacity for resisting fungus, insects and other threats to the wood’s integrity. Whereas other woods can sometimes be vulnerable, especially in areas with relatively high humidity, oak fends off the damp, and so is a good deal lower maintenance.
But that doesn’t mean you can be completely negligent with 18mm solid oak floors. You still need to take the proper precautions to keep your flooring healthy and safe. Clean up spills as quickly as possible, for example.
As long as you take good care of your floors, 18mm wood flooring puts the "long" in long lasting. The planks can be sanded down and refinished as many as seven times without needing to be replaced, and, since the first refinishing is not necessary for about 15 years or so, that means boards like this are going to last you for the rest of your life – and more.
Beyond durability, one of the best things about the fact that your 18mm solid wood flooring is likely to be made of oak is that the wood just looks great. No matter what colour you choose for a stain, oak floors add some serious class to your home or office.
In addition to the numerous gorgeous colour options, the grain in oak is typically very handsome, so your floors will have a great deal decoration built right into them. So, if you are thinking about going with one of the most popular options for your wood floors, go ahead. We can guarantee you’ll be glad you did.
For all other thicknesses of solid wood flooring please click here: Solid Wood Flooring
